Update

Seven years
Last week was me and Cort's 7 year anniversary. Hard to believe it's been seven years! 7 years, 3 kids later, and still going strong. I feel so blessed to have Cort in my life he truly is my best friend. He works so hard for our family and always has our best interest at heart.
Here's a couple pictures of us about eight years ago or so, I can't believe it's been that long. I remember when I was younger and eight years felt like an eternity, now I feel like I blink and eight years passes by.....


And here's one of us with Taylor when she was six weeks old. (still can't believe she's in kindergarten.)

For our anniversary Cort planned a little trip for us. We went up to Portland for the weekend while his parents stayed with our kids. It was a nice little break even though I missed the kids like CRAZY.
Cort sort of surprised me with tickets to Phantom of the Opera that first night and dinner at a resturant right on the water. The play was amazing! The special effects were incredible. Of course I forgot to take a picture, (I am so bad at taking pictures if it doesn't include our kids). However, I did have Cort stop by the theater so we could take a picture by the poster on our way out of town at 5am!
And here I am.....

The second day we went to the beach, did some shopping, had some fresh seafood and just enjoyed being together.
Cort really is quite a guy. I know I don't tell him that enough. I look forward to many more years with him. I am a lucky girl!!
Sick day
Well, a couple days after we got back poor Tally got pretty sick. He had a stomach bug of some sort I guess. I made him a little bed in the family room and put in a movie for him and he just laid there and watched it, which he NEVER does. Anyways, I thought this picture of him and Chase was so cute I had to post it. Chase was so concerned about him. What cute brothers.

Growing up
I love this picture of Chase. I took it right before he was about to go to one of his little buddies birthday parties. He was so excited to go. As I watched him get ready to walk out the door, I realized how big he was getting and that's when I decided we needed to take a picture to remember how I felt at that exact moment when I realized he really isn't a baby anymore, he's a little boy. Or as he would say "a big boy!!" Get it right mom!

Campout
The whole fam actually got to go to our ward's campout this year. We had a blast! Chase was totally in his element, as was Taylor. They are true campers for sure. There was a great big hill right by our camp sight that the kids climbed up and down I don't know how many times. We had hot dogs for dinner, roasted marshmallows, and slept in a tent. Honestly, does it get any better then that? Not in my kid's world! Ever since we got home, almost every night in Chase's prayer he thanks his Heavenly Father for the campout. I think it's safe to say we will be going a lot over the years.


Talan is one!
Tally turned one on August 27th. Once again I can't believe it! He was so cute at his little party. When we sang him happy birthday he just stared at us like we were crazy. It was hilarious. I got it on tape, I really need to learn how to upload videos. If anyone wants to teach me that would be great. Of course Tally enjoyed his cake. We had him eat it outside, good thinking on my part. He made a mess and as soon as he was done he crawled right over to the sandbox and started playing. He now plays peek a boo with us with him being the one who hides on his own. He's not walking yet, but he did take his first step at church today, but honestly he's really not that interested in it yet. He loves to eat just about anything, and makes all of us smile on a daily basis. I can't believe he's one. Happy Birthday little guy!!


And I am 32!!
I had the best birthday this year. I felt very humbled by everyone thinking of me on my big day. I truly do have some of the best people around in my life. What a blessing it is to be surrounded by such amazing people who are such wonderful examples to me. I really am so blessed in so many ways. As I look back on the last year of my life and think of all the many times and ways my Heavenly Father has blessed me I am overwhelmed. I am so grateful for the good times and of course even the bad times that have made me better and stronger. Thanks to everyone who made my day so special, it truly was because of all of you, here's to another great year!

Time flys

For those of you who have been concerned, no the Welkers have not fallen off the face of the earth, we are still here, just a little behind with the blogging world. I can't believe that we are already half way through August....I guess it's true what they say time flys when your having fun.
Here's some of the fun stuff we have been up too lately....
We went down to St. George a couple of weeks back and did some hiking, shopping, swimming, and just had a grand old time. Me and Taylor also went and saw the Sound of Music at the Tuccan theater down there. She couldn't take her eyes off the stage. If you have never been you MUST go. Here's a couple pictures of us hiking the red rocks down in St. George when we were there. The kids absolutely loved the hike, regardless of the fact that it was over 100 degrees! When we first got there Chase was hoping so hard that we would find a snake and of course no surprise to those who know me well, I was praying that we didn't!



However, we did find this little guy and one of his buddies on a bench that I almost had the kids sit on to take a picture. YIKES! Thank goodness I didn't! Cort actually saw him and I found his friend on the way back to the car.

We have also been doing a lot of swimming over the past two months too, the kids just simply can't get enough of it. Chase is our little dare devil, the phrase "no fear" comes to mind. He absolutely hates that I make him wear a life jacket when he sees that Taylor doesn't have to wear one. He just wants to be like his big sis in every way. I seriously think he'll be swimming before long.


Our little Tally has been going through a lot of big changes lately too. He is really turning into a little boy. He was leading the music in church yesterday. And he is now waving, pointing at things, giving kisses, saying mama, and dada, and he LOVES playing along side Taylor and Chase, (no big change there, no one can make him laugh like they do). However, probably my favorite thing he does is when he is all fussy and whining and I'll ask him if he wants a cracker or a drink and he'll stop crying and babble back at me, I swear he's trying to tell me that he does. I really need to get it on tape. Also, his new love is the hose in our yard. He will seriously sit and play with it forever. The other day he was outside playing with the hose, and eating crackers, when we brought him in he was a big wet mess, so Cort threw him in the kitchen sink and gave him a bath. He loved it. It was pretty cute stuff.

And of course, one of are most exciting news is that Taylor is now a big time kindergarter!! She started last week. I can hardly believe it! Even now when I drop her off I have to remind myself that yes she is old enough to be doing this. Her teacher is adorable and she is already having a lot of fun. I was driving around the other day and I was thinking about her starting school and I couldn't believe that it has already been FIVE AND A HALF years since we welcomed her into our family and lifes. She is my little gem! Here she is on her first day of school. She is such a poser, she loves to have her picture taken. I just know that she is going to have a great year.

Memories

Memory Game
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Fun Family Trip

We took a long old memorable trip this past week, we were gone for 8 days, are longest yet with the kids. We decided to head down to Arizona and visit some family and friends there before our annual Lake Powell trip. We had such a good time. I love going there. My mom's family all lives down there and when I am with her sisters and parents I always feel so close to her.
Here's the kids with their great grandparents. Every time we visit my grandparents they always send me back with all sorts of treasures from around their house. The last day we were there, Taylor was admiring my Grandpa's rock collection and he ended up giving her one that he'd brought back from Nauvoo, which she carried in her lap the whole drive to Powell.


Here's Taylor with her cute little cousins who she was SO excited to see again. Before we left Utah she kept talking about them and asking me what their names were again. They got to have a big sleepover the first night we were there and when I went to check on them around midnight all I could hear was them giggling like CRAZY! The funny thing is that me and their mom were super close as kids too, so it was so fun to watch our girls enjoy being together so much. Such cuties!! Taylor was so sad to go. Janee you guys need to come visit us now. We love our Arizona family so much! We missed seeing you Nelsons though. Thanks again Leone for letting us stay with you and for everything else as well. And Thanks Diane for getting the family all together on Friday night, it's always so good to see everyone again.


We also got to see some good friends the Becks who use to live across the street from us and now live down there as well and who are hopefully going to be moving back soon. No pressure though guys! The kids were so cute and had so much fun.
Here's Talan and Chase.... with Chase giving his classic "I'm not going to look at you when you have that camera in your hands no matter what you say or do pose". The last time these boys were together they were just babies, regardless of that though they were just as excited to see one another and play as the girls were.

And Here's Taylor and her adorable little friend Maddy. Taylor had so much fun playing with her again. These girls have been friends since they were babies too and we were so sad when they moved from across the street from us. Taylor talked about Maddy for the longest time after that, she just couldn't understand why she had to move!

Here's another picture of them as well, on the night before they moved. They look so young! I think that they are 2 years old here, correct me if I'm wrong. No doubt about it these girls will be friends for a long time to come.

Lake Powell was a blast! I love that place and the tradition continues, Taylor and Chase had so much fun and can't wait to go back. Chase was a die hard, jumping off the back of the boat, a mini "cliff", (if you can call it that), riding the big whale tube behind the boat, he is so fearless! Taylor had a grand old time as well, I couldn't keep her out of the water either, and she to took her turn on the whale behind the boat, riding the waverunner and just having the time of her life.
Poor Cort had a little mishap in Arizona while riding his bike on some trail and was unable to really enjoy Powell the way it's suppose to be done. Needless to say, him and Talan got some good bonding time in. So thanks to him for that!

Here's my crazy brother showing off while we where cliff jumping, with my dad in the background. Once again FEARLESS! This was probably at least a 25-30 foot cliff. Which doesn't sound like much, but when you are standing at the top of something like that believe me it looks a lot higher then it sounds.

Mini me
Here's Chasers with my other brother Bry. Everyone always tells me that Chase is a minituare version of Bryce. So, we staged this photo of them so everyone could judge for themselves. Unfortunately Chase wouldn't cooperate of course, and that's why they are looking at their hands and not the camera.

Miss Taylor jumping off her first "cliff."

Part of the group hanging out in our top of line sweet shade tent which provided much relief from the sun. Good call on this one Whit.

My dad jamming out to his new favorite Keith Urban. Last year I believe it was Tom Petty and the year before Savage Garden or as he would call them "ravage savage." It just wouldn't be Lake Powell if my dad wasn't busting a move and singing at the top of his lungs at some point. Seriously though, he can get down with the best of them.

And here's Chase FINALLY riding the waverunner. I say finally because he asked over and over again before we got him out there on it. He was absolutely mesmerized by that thing. He is such a boy!

And once again here's Chase the first night we got there at the hotel. We went out on the balcony and he was all excited yelling "look come see! Come see! Lake Powell!"

Here's one of most of the grandbabies back at the hotel climbing all over and playing with their Pa-pa.

And here's Talan enjoying his first swim at Powell. He loved the water and his new little floater that we tried out for the first time while we were there. He was seriously such a trooper. He even took his naps on the boat, and didn't have one meltdown the whole time there.


And just for fun here's one of me trying to decide if I really want to jump off of that there cliff we are standing on, with a little encouragement from my dad and brother. I am either losing my nerve as I get older or I am just getting smarter. Depends on who you ask I guess. Also, notice that I'm the only one wearing a life jacket, bunches of crazies I tell ya! And just in case you were wondering where you could pick up one of those jackets like the one I'm wearing for yourself, I think your out of luck. We've had those things since I was like ten years old(I know you were admiring it). I still don't know why we haven't got rid of them yet. However they are functionable, and hopefully still coast guard approved and without a doubt, I think it goes without saying, VERY stylish! Retro's back right?

Chasers

Earlier today I sent Chase to his room to take a nap after a long day of playing with his very cute little friend Landon. They had so much fun together, both of them were crying hysterically when we told them it was time to go.
Anyways, I made a bed for Chase on the floor, (he is obsessed with sleeping on the floor) and sent him to his room and told him I'd be there in a little bit to tuck him in. I did a little cleaning up and checked my email and decided that I better go check on him and make sure he did what he was told. I heard the TV on in my room so I thought for sure that's where he was. Well, it's good thing that his hands were hanging out from under his bed....

because otherwise I don't think I would of ever checked for him under there. I lifted up his comforter and found him fast asleep with his pillow and blanket. I swear, this kid really lives his life at his pace and his way! He can always make me smile, even during those moments when I feel my patience running thin. He does the cutest stuff, I couldn't resist sharing this with everyone. I love being a mom, Chase, Taylor, and Talan's mom to be more specific, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!!

Tagged!

Four Jobs I've Held:
(Maybe I should list four jobs I haven't had! I have worked almost everywhere. I guess I get bored easy!!....Just keeping my options open.)
* T shirt seller at UVSC. I got to attend a lot of concerts for free as a result.
* server at the Art City Trolley in Springville. (YUM!)
* 49 Street Galleria in High School
* sales rep for Franklin Covey

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over:
I'm not a big movie watcher, so this one stumped me! I usually only watch a movie once and maybe twice if I REALLY1 liked it.
But here's two that I really liked recently:
* Enchanted
* Chronicles of Narina

Four TV Shows I Like:
* Law and Order SVU
* King of Queens
* Still Standing
* America's Next Top Model

Four Items I Couldn't Live Without Each Day:
* my family
* the gospel
* my cel phone haha(those who really know me have to laugh at that one.)
* my camera. I take a lot of pictures. Now if I could just figure out what to do with all of them.

Four Places I'd Rather Be:
* Lake Powell with the family
* Outside playing as long as the temperature isn't too hot
* Shopping, more specifically bargain shopping...I love a good deal!
* Swimming at a pool

Four Things I do almost everyday without fail:
* Wish Cort was around more
* play with the kids
* go running
* clean at least something

Four of my favorite foods:
* Any and all Seafood... salmon, crab, shrimp, It's all good!
* Anything with sugar
* Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, with cranberries
* Artichokes with butter

Four items I wish I had right now:
* a red swimsuit
* Photoshop CS3
* more time in the day
* a Jamba juice

Four things on my "to do list" right now:
* Clean bathrooms
* Finish making curtains for the dining room
* Get a haircut
* the never ending piles of laundry
(Very exciting I know!!!)

Four people I am tagging:
* Angela H.
* Emily F.
* Whitney
* Lydia

Good times with family and friends

We went to Oak City/Delta two weeks ago with some very great friends, to visit my Grandma and Grandpa Peterson and take some family pictures in front of the coolest red barn ever across from my friend's Grandma's house. I think we got some pretty good shots and we DEFINITELY had a good time. After torturing the kids and our VERY patience husbands, (thanks guys) for about two hours or so taking pictures, we then hung out and talked while the kids colored, planted a garden, and had lots of treats courtesy of Coby and Lynette's Grandma. Thanks you guys, we had a blast! We then went and visited my Grandma and Grandpa and got to see my aunt and cousin's family as well, which was very nice to catch up with them a bit too. I think we might head back down there for Oak City days, which I hear is something not to miss. So stay tuned....


Grandma and Grandpa Welker came out for a visit about a week or so ago and we had a grand old time with them. We went out to dinner, hung out, and just enjoyed being together. The highlight of the visit was probably when we went to the zoo, which Taylor had planned a few weeks in advance. She even made a list of all the people she wanted to come. This was Chase's first time at the zoo and he loved it!! As did Taylor. Of course, the penguins were a big hit. Taylor loves penguins. And the train and carousel where probably Chasey's favorites. Here's a picture of our group. Notice Chase with his sword, he rarely goes anywhere without his sword or baseball bat. Thanks for coming Grandma and Grandpa you never disappoint!


I ran my first half marathon last Saturday up at Bear Lake! It was soo much fun! I was quite nervous as the bus was taking us up. But honestly I really enjoyed it. I ran with two great friends and amazing girls. Thanks Audrey and Liz! We must do it again soon. I have definitely caught the running bug! I know it won't my be last race, as I previously thought it would be. Here's a picture of us coming up to the finish line.

We went up the night before the race and stayed at our very generous friends Matt and Liz's cabin right on the lake, which the kids absolutely loved. The Buchanans were there as well. It was the cutest little place and actually slept like 25 plus people. There was the cutest little swing out back and one in the front that the kids couldn't get enough of. They all stayed up pretty late, even Talan. And Taylor got to sleep right next to her cute little friend Eliza, who she just adores, which they both thought was the coolest thing ever. We also had the kids decorate some shirts to wear and cheer us on while we were running. It was the coolest thing ever when we came around the corner and saw them all standing there yelling "go mom!" It was the best!! It was my favorite part of the race. What cute kids. Thanks again girls for the fun memories.


The next day was Father's Day and I really wanted to make that day all about Cort. He does so much for our family and I wanted him to know that it doesn't go unnoticed. He is such a hard worker and a wonderful provider spiritually and financially. I had the kids all go and pick something out for him. Chase was sooo excited, he couldn't wait for his daddy to see what he got him. Taylor got him some cologne, Chase got him a tie, which he will tell you about if you ask, and Talan got him a shirt. While I got him a watch thinger that tells your distance among other things, while running or biking. I hope Cort knows how much we all love and appreciate him! I can't believe that we have been together for 7 wonderful years. We all love him so much. And me and him both are so blessed to have amazing fathers too, who are always there for us.

Taylor and Chase have been on a new kick lately, they love sleeping on the ground next to each other. Every night it has been "can we sleep on the ground?" I tell them only if they go right to sleep, which they usually will do. Their little relationship is so sweet and I think unique. They truly love each other so much. They do have their moments, but honestly they are few and far between. Taylor is always making sure that Chase is included even when she has friends over, and Chase is always making sure that Taylor has whatever he has, from treats to if we are at the store and Taylor's not with us, Chase still has me buy something for her, so she is taken care of as well. I really think that they are kindred spirits of some sort and as a mom I am so grateful for their closeness. It totally melts my heart to see them together.

Here's our little Tally with his bat. He absolutely loves this thing. He carries it around with him everywhere. The other day we were in his room and I turned around to find him trying desperately to get under his crib, when he finally came out he was holding his bat that must off gotten kicked under there or something. Cort says it reminds him of bam-bam from the Flintstones. I love how kids get so attached to things.

Oh and you might of noticed poor Talan's eye. He fell down the other day and cut his eye. I totally went into panic mode. Poor little guy. He was such a trooper though, he was totally smiling and playing while we were checking it out and trying to decide if we needed to take him in. He has such a sweetness about him. We decided that it wasn't that deep so we just put some of that liquid bandage stuff on it to close it up and it's actually healing a lot better than I could of hoped for. Thank goodness!

This past weekend we went down to see the Mormon Miracle Pageant down at the Manti Temple where me and Cort were married. We decided to just camp while we were there and the kids loved it! It brought back a lot of memories for me too. My mom's parents use to live there and I went to school down there for a year. It was a short trip, but fun. Taylor really enjoyed the pageant and asked lots of questions. She said her favorite part was when Jesus visited the little children in America and the Samuel the Lamanite story. Chase said his favorite part of the pageant was swimming in our neighbor's pool the other day. Go figure. I swear he says and does the cutest things. At the pageant, it was different then I remembered it being in the past. They had chairs sent up instead of blankets. Well, Chase of course made do and about half way though grabbed his blankie and went and laid it out in the middle of the aisle and made himself comfortable. You probably had to be there to really appreciate the cuteness of it. I wanted to take a picture so bad but they asked us not to take pictures because it was distracting, so I restrained. I tell Cort all the time how I wish we could just put him in a bottle and keep him this age forever. I love his age so much, it's definitely one of my favorites.
Here's the kids at our campground.

And one of them at the pageant before it started.

The next day we decided to go walk around the Manti temple before we left and let the kids climb up and down the hill. I love this picture of Cort and Taylor, there's just something about it.


We all feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family and amazing friends to spend our time with.